Early supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics to pigs : effects on gut microbiota, metabolite production, and behavioural outcome

Sammanfattning

The early establishment of intestinal microbiota is essential for gut health in pigs. Nutritional interventions that target the microbiota during the first weeks of life can positively influence microbiota development and thereby impact gut health, immune function, growth, as well as behavioural development. This thesis aimed to evaluate the effects of early dietary interventions by supplementing piglets’ oat β-glucan or two lactobacilli strains during the suckling period. The oat β-glucan supplement was examined for its effects on gut microbiota development, short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, growth, gut histology, and behaviour. The supplement with lactobacilli, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum focused on effects on microbiota composition, SCFA, gut histology, and growth performance. The initial study, predominantly showed age-related effects, with limited oat β-glucan supplement specific impacts. However, analysis of microbiota composition and behaviour in the follow-up study revealed significant correlations between certain bacterial taxa and specific behavioural traits. Oat β-glucan negatively affected reversal learning. The supplement with the two lactobacilli did not significantly alter microbiota composition rectal swabs of piglets, but induced localised changes in the ileum and colon, including an increased abundance of Prevotella 2 in ileum mucosa and an increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4136 in ileum mucosa, colon mucosa, and colon digesta. The supplements did not affect SCFA production, gut histology, or growth performance compared to controls. Taken together, the results revealed certain, albeit limited, impacts of prebiotic and probiotics for gut health in piglets during suckling. Additional studies are needed to clarify these findings and unravel the complexity of their interactions.

Nyckelord

early interventions; β-glucan; SCFA; behaviour; Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum; Prevotella 2 and Lachnospiraceae_NK4136

Publicerad i

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae
2025, nummer: 2025:39
Utgivare: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

SLU författare

• Arapovic, Lidija

  • Institutionen för tillämpad husdjursvetenskap och välfärd, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Husdjursvetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.54612/a.6qf8a3d955
• ISBN: 978-91-8046-474-1
• eISBN: 978-91-8046-524-3

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132979